After studies by the NGO, Waste Concern, revealed that 80 percent of waste in Bangladesh was organic and 15 percent recyclable, the organisation determined to pursue a large-scale composting initiative to improve sanitation conditions.

After executing experiments using different composting models, Waste Concern concluded that an Indonesian Windrow Technique would be the most appropriate for the context. Soon after its 1995 launch, the composting programme reached 20 major cities in rural areas of the country; since then, it has also been replicated in a number of countries through the funding and leadership of UNESCAP. The programme is financially self-sustainable with 70 percent of incomes coming from sale of compost and 30 percent from door-to-door waste collection.

The project has resulted in a 3-ton composting plant that employs 50 percent women. It has also helped to improve overall land fertility and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In a highly overpopulated and underdeveloped country like Bangladesh, Waste Concern’s effort is remarkable and will certainly pave the way to an improved future.